Want to come along and help me with my boarding school search?

[Yay4may]

Hello.....Year 6 DD is at small private prep and has just been through 11+ in London and we are awaiting results like the rest of the city :.). However, very late in the process, DD has developed a strong interest in boarding school. Neither DH or I are from this country but we both went to boarding school elsewhere had good experiences and so in theory support the idea. So because this came up late and also because we think 13 is a better entry point, we have said to our daughter let's focus on completing 11+ process for a day school in London and picking and getting excited about a good school for you for now and 'let's see' about 13+ boarding if you are still interested. Behind the scenes I know that we need to get on with it in terms of registrations and what not and so I need to get organised as there will be things to do from now to get offers for 13+ down the road.

I am starting for pretty much 0 though and so what I need help with is a list of schools to start researching and visiting this term. Here's the deal - she has a CAT of 127, her marks are As in math and science, B+ in everything else. She's textbook all rounder - plays violin, 2 or 3 sports, extracurricular in dance and gymnastics, is decent in all, not exceptional in any. Horse mad - would love somewhere with equestrian facilities (suspect this might be where boarding school thing is coming from!!). She's very visual - visual learner, very into photography, has developed penchant for checking out street graffiti on line, that sort of thing.

From our point of view, we want something modern/liberal, have really bristled at some day schools which feel like finishing schools. Would like somewhere that would continue to push her on STEM but feed her 'visual side'. My gut says all girls but might not want to rule out co-ed at this stage. My husband cares about a 'name' school I do not at all. We can afford boarding and would not require any bursaries. Would be willing to go up to 3 hrs outside of London.

This is my current list - what else should I be thinking of/looking at?

Heathfield
St Mary's Calne
Downe House
Cheltenham Ladies College
Marlborough
Wycombe Abbey - coming from husband, I think her grades are not good enough

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.....

King's Ely on a direct train line from London. Mixed school but boarding houses are single sex.

Another vote for millfield - our very academic DC was stretched far more there than at previous academic boarding school - and also ticks the boxes for being fairly progressive in approach - all iPad-based, classes of around 10 with tutor sat at table with the students in a tutorial-type atmosphere (there are exceptions of course, some teachers less progressive than others). And equestrian facilities amazing of course.

Jave a good look at Mayfield. Good maths and lots of horses.

Nice down to earth school that is increasingly popular with families wanting to escape London pressure.

Badminton school in Bristol ticks all of your boxes and is definitely progressive, an excellent choice for a strong all rounder!

Bryanston... ticks lots of your boxes I think.

DC1 (boarder at a boys' school a long way from home) has girl friends at Downe House and St Mary's Calne. They are all happy!

Queen Margarets (small girls' boarding school with some day girls) near York has excellent equestrian facilities. A nice school, too. Recommended by Tatler.

FWIW, OP, there are some schools which take children who have been expelled from elsewhere. I would avoid these. One begins with S, and has been mentioned on this thread.

Bedales near petersfield.

Wellington is co-ed but certainly not what I would call liberal....

Bryanston is a good shout.

Or, have you thought about sending her now to do her last 2-3 years at a boarding prep like the Dragon? That softens the transition to boarding a lot.

Second Mayfield, traditional school with good equestrian facilities, easily accessible, long standing strong art and ceramics , excellent added value academically and more than anything tip top ethos of kindness . No school is perfect but given your criteria I would strongly advise a visit.

Have you considered Gordonstoun?

Don't be put off by distance - it's about an hour's flight from London to Inverness, and then less than an hours drive, so it's not as remote as people think and within your three hours from London limit! It has a broad curriculum, including sailing. Good on arts as well as outdoorsy stuff - and not at all a stuffy finishing school type place. Really worth a look.

Two hours north of London and you have Oakham and Uppingham, both very good 'all round' schools, I think they would be worth a look. Oakham is more convenient for transport (town has a train station) but the schools are only about 9 miles apart so you could see birth during one recce visit

Hurtwood House
Bradfield

St George's, Ascot. Interesting review here

My neighbours kids go to Ratcliffe which is mixed day/boarding. My friend teaches at uppingham which is full boarding, and dd had offer of a place at the Oakham feeder prep school (Oakham is 13+) but we turned it down as the bursary wasn't enough, very good school. All are 90 min-2 hours from London and have train links for visits home when old enough

I really appreciate this has helped me get to the final application list quite quickly. I had no idea about Wellington and Bryanston (and that Charterhouse was now taking girls) until this thread and they are now major contenders!

Apologies to the Queenswood folks, I guess just wasn't for me. I do know others who are very happy there as well.

My daughter received her 1st choice for day schools so she's happy to stay in London for two years and then we will look at these for the 13+.

What day school have you decided on op?